Ok, I am supposed to be grateful, right?Count those blessings.Make that list of 1000+ reasons to give thanks. (Thanks Ann Voskamp and your wonderful book, 1000 Gifts) Work on the spiritual disciple of gratitude.Embrace Thanksgiving as THEday to share what we are thankful for with the family - the perfect family smiling around the dinner table with halos abounding and hearts full of love. Yeah, right.My Thanksgiving expectations: Norman Rockwell.My reality: Kitchen Nightmare or Lethal Cooking.To be honest, last Thursday was not THAT bad, but by midmorning, by myself, preparing all the food, I sipped on a mug of self-pity. I wanted to make a huge Thanksgiving meal. My family insists that every year I cook for an army. So I set myself up for this annual why-me-scenario. I do it to myself!The green bean casserole broke me.You know the concoction - heavy laden with calories and memories. Green beans, those yummy eat from the can onion rings and cream of mushroom soup. I have tried lighter … [Read more...]
Sacred Scottish Moments – Trasna
My pilgrimage to Scotland and England held many sacred moments and images I will never forget. I am a visual person so symbols and memories often become the ways God stirs my heart and awakens my soul.Even though we have been home for weeks now, I continue to glean lessons from this journey.I love walking the hallowed ruins,pausing at the many high Celtic crosses and drinking in the autumn colors in the Highlands. I experienced God in many of these places.So I was surprised at God’s sudden presence as I gazed at the scenery while riding in the back of the bus on a dreary drizzling day. Sister Nancy spoke over the microphone about lives of the English Mystics we would visit later the day. Most people’s heads lowered, rocked to sleep by the gentle movement of the bus.Nancy closed her talk with a poem about crossroads,Trasna. The words drew me into God’s arms and I listened to His wisdom.The word, trasna, means to cross, to choose which direction to go, to proceed. Not only the physical … [Read more...]
Iona: A Thin Place
What was wrong with me? Here I walked on the remote island of Iona where for thousands of years, Christians experienced God and I felt nothing.I was disappointed. What was I missing?I wrote in my journal that last full day on Iona: “Thank you Lord for this walk on ‘ancient paths.’ The beautiful hikes have physically blessed me and I felt joy with the wonderful discussions filled with laughter among friends. But spiritually something is missing. What does my soul need from this sacred time here on Iona?I know I felt a ‘quickening’ of my spirit, the touch of your hand, the closeness of your breath when I saw the Scottish landscape, the villages and people. I experienced your presence in the Edinburgh Castle and my surprise discovery of the Writers Museum. But Iona remains bare. I don’t want to miss it, ignore You nor do I want to demand its arrival either. Help me see the gift you have for me here on Iona.”On our pilgrimage to Scotland and England we spent two full days on the Island … [Read more...]
Seeing Everyday Signs
“The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel ProustWhen you travel you learn to see with new eyes. Common sights in our everyday existence jump into our imaginations with new wings when seen on foreign soil.Our recent pilgrimage to Scotland and England, I was fascinated by the road signs. We were in countries where we knew the language - English, of course, - but words and their meanings were different. Here are a few of my favorites:A Loo is a bathroom. Really? They give awards for the best toilets???This would get my attention!Polite way to saying Yield.At first I thought this was a hidden Mickey.We were on a tidal island but got off safely.Here we tip cows. I guess flies are more fun in England. I just never could get one to tip over for me.And your heart...They never ceased to remind us that they drive on the correct side of the road. This made me wonder how strange some of our signs, customs and words are to people … [Read more...]
What’s on My Night Stand?
Ohhh, I do love books. Right now I am reading or just finished several really good ones and wanted them with you.1. Keri Wyatt Kent is one of my favorite authors. I love how her words in her books, articles and on her blog invite me closer to God.Keri's latest book, Deeply Loved: 40 Ways in 40 Days toExperience the Heart of Jesus, is not an exception. This book in 40 reflections sharing 40 ways drenches you in God's love.I love her first story of the foster parents facing the challenge of raising a four year old boy whose roots run deep in poverty, illness and abandonment."When they tucked him in at night they ask him, `Jonathan, when God looks at you, what does he say?" And they have taught him to answer, "He says, `I sure do love that little boy!" "The truth is, God sure does love you. When he looks at you, his first thought is love...Augustine asserted, "God loves each of us like an only child."This book is rich with Scripture, practical wisdom and encouragement. I highly recommend … [Read more...]
Pilgrimage Preparation
If you read this blog regularly you know I returned last week from a pilgrimage to Scotland and England, including two wonderful days on the island of Iona, home of Celtic Spirituality. The next few blog posts will share some of my experiences while on this journey.We left for the overseas flight on October 21, but my pilgrimage preparation began before that. I prayed for an open heart and God’s help to pay attention to the things He wanted me to see. I journaled my hopes and dreams for this trip. I emailed friends for advice, such a Nancy Franson, who earlier this summer also stepped into the unknown for a God adventure. You can read her marvelous summary of her trip here. I searched for a special scripture verse to carry with me on this trip. Being an overachiever, I first thought of full chapters in the Psalms or the entire book of John, but God in His wisdom quietly led me to one verse:This is what the Lord says: Stand at the crossroads and look; Ask for ancient paths,; Ask where … [Read more...]
Flying High
I am home! I arrived late last night from my pilgrimage to England and Scotland. Next week I will write about this wonderful trip. BUT since I knew time would be very, very short I asked one more dear friend to guest post for me today. Today my blogger friend, Clella Camp, joins us. I met Clella the first time at the Florida Christian Writers Conference. Now she is one of my best friends! We are part of an online writers group called the KindredHeart Writers and help each other through sharing resources, encouragement, critiques, and prayers. I love how Clella takes everyday blessings and sees God. She writes with such wisdom and clarity. You can check out her blog, Clella's Corner, and be sure to see her book available there too.FLYING HIGH"Carry each other’s burdens” Galatians 6:2I heard them even before I stepped out the door. The honking grated on my hearing aids somewhat like chalk on a board. Shading my eyes toward the sunrise, I could see the black V formation gliding across … [Read more...]
“I Don’t FEEL like it!”
The next few weeks I am hosting a group of guest bloggers. These very special ladies all offered to help fill in while I check off an item from my bucket list: a pilgrimage to Scotland and England. Today my blogger friend, Michelle Eichner joins us to talk about the struggle of submitting to God. This Floridian loves Jesus, family, friends, football, and helping people know the joy of studying God’s Word.I connected with Michelle though Jen Ferguson’s blog, Finding Heaven, and we are partners in one of Jen’s Soli Deo Gloria small groups. Getting to know her in this group has been such a pleasure. Being part of a small group that prays for one another is so encouraging.Stop by her blog, Leading God’s Generation, and stay awhile. You will be blessed! You may also be interested in the journals her husband and her works on for middle school kids to use to help them study God’s Word on their own. You can find the journals at http://www.leadinggodsgeneration.com“I Don’t FEEL like … [Read more...]